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Spring Training Miscellany: A’s 8, Cubs 7 – March 5, 2012

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The salient points (roster battles, position battles, prospects, etc.) from today’s Spring Training game against the A’s…

Non-roster invitee Blake DeWitt had a three-run homer, which is a nice start to his “you screwed up by booting me off the roster” campaign. Not helping? He was at DH, instead of playing in the field. Other competitors for a reserve infield job, Bobby Scales, Alfredo Amezaga and Matt Tolbert, each had a hit in limited duty.

Non-roster invitee Joe Mather – a longshot to win a back-up outfielder job – went two for three with a couple stolen bases in his first action.

Steve Clevenger had a hit in two at bats as he hopes to win the back-up catcher job. (He did lose in the Bunt Tournament today, in an upset, to another catching competitor, Welington Castillo.)

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Josh Vitters came in for some praise at third base on a tough play to his left. Most still believe Vitters, 22, will develop the bat for the bigs at third base, but a minority believe he can develop the defense. Some say he’s made huge strides over the last six months, though. It was just one nice play, and he’s no threat to make the roster, but it’s good to hear. He also had an RBI double.

Lefty bullpen hopeful Scott Maine pitched a scoreless inning early, but gave up two hits in the process. Blake Parker, whom Dale Sveum singled out for praise earlier in camp, threw a scoreless (no hits, no walks) inning, as did Casey Weathers, the pitcher the Cubs picked up in the Ian Stewart trade.

Manny Corpas, a presumed favorite for one of the outstanding bullpen spots, went 1.1 innings, giving up a couple earned runs on three hits. He did strike out two.

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